Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 637,998. Patelited Nov. 28, I899.

.1. RUTHVEN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR. (Application filed Dec. 9, 1898.) (No Mo l.) 5Sheets-Sheet I.

m: nbRms PEYERS 00.. mum-unto, WASNINGTON, n, c.

No. 637,998. Patented Nov 28 I899 .1. BUTHVEN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR. (No Model) (Applicationfilad Dec. 9, 1898.) 5shank-sheet 2 1 amm g 19%? Wm 1 y wy "m: uonms PETERS ca, PHOTO-Limo"WASHINGTON, o, c,

N0- asmss. Patented Nov. 28, I899. .1. RUTHVEN. ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed neejs, 1898.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

hq jeglol Wihgesscs 77 M M we norms PETERS co PuoTuuTMo. wAsmuc-ron. n.c.

No. 637,998. Patented Nov.28,. |8i99. .1. RUTHVEN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Dec. 9 1898.) (No Model.)

ms mourns Pzrzns co. wunrmumo WASNINE-TON, o. c.

No. 537 99a. Patented N 28 .1. RUTHVEN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Dec, 9, 1898.)

(No Model) 5 Sheets-Sheet}.

i F v /W J38 i L .137 i 5 I l i i I l l I 1 I I i I 5 1 7 0 i t 5 i I 3M 0 ljlli 1111:11113/ THE Nonms PETERS cc PHOTC-LITHO. WASHINGTON. by cI UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN RUTHVEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ACETYLEN E-GA'S c ENERATO R.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of, Letters Patent No. 637,998, dated.November as, 1899. Application filed camber 9,1898. Serial No. 698,751.(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN RUTHVEN, a sub ject of the Queen of GreatBritain, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented a new and useful Acetylene-Gas Generator, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to generators for the production of acetylene gasby'the familiar method of bringing an attacking quantity of waterinactive relation to calcium carbid or its equivalent.

One of the chief objects of the present invention is to provide animproved generator in which an absorbing-packing is arranged to transmitthe moisture or liquid to the carbid in order to prevent the inflowingsupply of water from coming in direct contact with the carbid, but, onthe other hand, to provide a moist medium which surrounds the carbid, sothat the well-known affinity of the carbid for moisture res ults in theproduction of acetylene gas. This generator is constructed to utilizethe saturated or moistened strata of packing as a means for keeping themetallic elements of the generator in a relatively cool condition andalso to employ said moistening strata as a means for mechanicallyfiltering the gas in order to eliminate therefrom the fine particles ofdust which may be suspended in the gas, particularly when the carbid isagitated within the generator.

A further object of the invention is to provide means which will keepthe oarbid in a compact condition and allow expansion of the mass ofcarbid when it is slaked by absorption of moisture from the saturatedsurrounding medium within the generator, and, furthermore, to providemeans for agitating the carbid, so as to bring the active portionthereof into position where it will be more readily attacked by themoisture.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for admittingwater automatically to the generators on the descent of the floatablegas-bell, and this water-feed mechanism is adjustable to vary andregulate the quantity of water which may be admitted to the generatorson each downward movement of the floatable bell.

A further object of the invention is to compactly arrange all theworking elements of the with the present invention.

apparatus, to the end that they may be housed or contained within aninclosing cabinet .which is constructed to provide ready access .ing thesame before its admission to the gasometer, and also to provide anautomatic vent by which the gas in the event of overproduction andexcessive pressure may be al-' lowed to escape from the apparatus, thusmeeting the requirement of insurance companies in certain sections ofthe country for the installation of apparatus of this character inbuildings and dwellings.

With these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combinationof mechanisms and in the construction and arrangement of parts,whichwill be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand the invention, I have illustrated thepreferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective viewof an acetylene-gas generator constructed in accordance Fig. 2 is avertical sectional elevation thereof on the plane indicated by thedotted line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional plan View,the plane of section being taken above the generators and on the dottedline 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is another horizontal sectional View on aplane'through the generators and indicated by the dotted line 4. 4 ofFig. 2. vertical sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, through thetrip-controlled devices for the automatic water-inlet .valve, the planeof the section being indicated by the dotted line of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is adetail view of the rests for one of the generators. Fig. 7 is anenlarged view of the adjusting devices for the trip-rod that actuatesthewater-inlet valve. Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontalsection through the end of the generator from which the gas is taken bythe pipe which conveys the gas to the purifier. Fig. 9 is an enlargedlongitudinal sectional view through a water-jacketed generatorconstructed in accordancewith my improvements and having the carbidvessel thereof surrounded Fig. 5 is a' by a sediment receptacle orcylinder which is contained within-the generator along with thecarbid-cylinder and is removable with the latter from the generator whenthe carbid-cylinder is to be recharged. Fig. is a vertical cross-sectionthrough the generator illustrated by Fig. 9 on the plane indicatedprovide an inclosing cabinet or case 10, within which are housed orcontained all of the operating mechanisms of the apparatus, and thiscabinet may be finished in any desired ornamental way to make theapparatus present a neat or attractive appearance. The cabinet isprovided with a bottom or floor 11 and with the horizontal partitions 1213, which divide the interior of the cabinet into a series ofcompartments or chambers adapted to contain the generators, thestorage-gasometer, and the purifier. The upper chamber, which containsthe generators and the water-supply devices therefor, is indicated bythe numeral 14. The middle chamber 15 is formed by and between thepartitions and is adapted to receive the gasometer, and the lowerchamber 16 is formed between the floor 11 and the partition 13 for thereception of the purifier. Access to these several compartments isobtained by providing the doors 17, which may be of any suitableconstruction.

Within the upper compartment 14 of the cabinet I provide two pairs orseries of rests 18 19 for supporting the generators, and these rests aresecured firmly to the upper partition 12. Said rests are formed withconcave seats 20, adapted to snugly receive the cylindrical generators21 22, and said generators are disposed in horizontal positions withinthe compartment 14. The generators are arranged in the same horizontalplane and on opposite sides of the vertical axis of the cabinet 10, soas to take up a minimum amount of room therein, and these generators arereadily removable from the seats of the rests whenever desired. Awater-supply tank 23 is secured within the compartment 14 of the cabinetto occupy an elevated position above the horizontal plane of thegenerators, and this tank may be supported in place by any suitablecontrivances. The tank is equipped with a feed-pipe 24., which isproperly connected to said tank, and in this feed-pipe is arranged afilter 25 of any suitable construction, adapted to clarify the waterprevious to its admission to the tank.

A water-supply pipe 26 is arranged between the tank and the generatorsin order to convey the water from the tank to the generators, and theflow of water through the pipe 26 can take place only by the opening ofan automatic trip-valve 27, which is controlled by suitable trip devicesactuated by the descent of the floatable gas-bell forming a part of thegasometer, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The water-supply pipe26 is connected with this automatic trip-valve 27 and from said valveleads a branch pipe 28, which has connection with the shells of thegenerators 21 22. This branch pipe is provided with cocks 29 30,whichare fitted therein on opposite sides of the point of communica tionbetween the branch pipe 28 and the tripvalve 27, and either of thesecocks may be opened to permit water to pass from the valve 27 to onegenerator while the other cock remains closed to cut off communicationfrom the valve 27 to the other generator, whereby either generator maybe brought into condi-' tion for service in the generation of acetylenegas. It will thus be seen that one generator may be recharged with freshcarbid while the other generator is in service, and the appa-' ratus isthus adapted for continuous opera tion. It will also be evident that thecapacity of the apparatus for the generation of gas may be varied byincreasing the number of generators or by an increase in the size ofeach generator to adapt the latter to contain a relatively largequantity of carbid. The branch pipe 28 which communicates with theautomatic water valve is not attached directly to each generator; but onthe contrary the ends of this pipe 28 are provided with supplementalpipes 31, which are firmly attached to the pipe 28 and have their endsunited or coupled to the generator 21 22, whereby each supplemental pipe31 is connected at two points to its generator, so as to discharge thewater into said generator in a manner to distribute the water-supplyover the fibrous absorbent packing and enable the latter to readily takeup or absorb the feed-water.

A gas-pipe 32 is provided with branches 33 34, which are attached to theends or heads of the generators 21 22, respectively, for the purpose ofproviding a gas-pipe which is common to both of the generators, and thevertical section of this gas-pipe is extended or carried through thepartitions 12 13, so that it passes through both compartments l5 and 16in the cabinet, whereby the discharge end 35 of this gas-pipe may beextended into the purifier 36. This purifier is housed or containedwithin the lowermost compartment 16 of the cabinet, and it consists of asuitable shell or casing, which contains a series of perforated shelvesor trays 37, which are properly supported within the shell. Thedischarge end 35 of the gas-pipe 32 passes through the shell of thepurifier in order to discharge the gas into the purifier-shell at ornear the the bottom thereof, and the trays or shelves 37 are adapted tocontain suitable substances for the purification of the gas as itscirculates within the purifier and through the material on the shelvesthereof.

The middle compartment 15 of the cabinet IIO contains the gasometer, inwhich the gas is stored ready for consumption by the burners, which areprovided in the building or dwelling in which the apparatus isinstalled. This gasometer has a tank 38, which rests upon the partition13, and said tank is closed at its which is provided within thegasometer-tank.

The floatable bell is immersed within a liquid seal 42, also containedwithin the tank 38, and said bell is provided with a hollow receptacleor tube 43, which plays freely in the guide-box 40 of the tank 38. Saidtube 43 of the fioatable bell is designed to receive the weight 45,which may be in the form of shot or other substance, and the upper endof said tube 43 is closed by means of a cap 44, which is secureddetachably to the tube for the purpose of enabling the operator toobtain access to the tube to vary the quantity of shot or other weightmaterial therein. The tube 43 is secured firmly and centrally to thehead of the floatable bell, and by providing the weight within the tubethe bell is adapted to exert pressure on the gas which is confinedwithin the bell and prevented from escaping therefrom by the liquid seal42 within the tank 38. The weight-receiving and guide tube 43 isprovided outside of the tank 38 with a collar 46, and this collarcarries a clam ping-screw 47, which binds or impinges against the tube43.

In renewing the charge of carbid within the generator it is desirable toremove the pressure from the gas stored within the gasometer, and thisend may be attained in my apparatus by loosening the set-screw 47 andraising the collar46 on the tube 43, so that the gas-bell may beelevated sufiiciently to remove the pressure from the gas confinedtherein, said bell being maintained in its elevated position bytightening the screw' 47 and allowing the collar 46 to rest upon theguide-box 40 of a gasometer-tank in a manner to sustain thegas-bell.After the generator shall have been charged the collar 46 is raised freefrom contact with the tank 38 in order that the weight contained withinthe guide-tube 43 may act on the fioatable bell to cause the latter toeX- ert pressure upon the gas.

A drier is immersed within the seal 42 of the gasometer, and it occupiesa position within the fioatable gas-bell to avoid interference with theplay thereof. This drier 48 is provided with a series of shelves ortrays 49, which are spaced at proper intervals and are constructed tocontain suitable drying substances, through which the gas is compelledto circulate. The drier is arranged above the purifier 36, andconnection between the purifier and drier is established by a shortsection of pipe 50, which extends through the partition 13 for its lowerend to be attached to the purifier 36 and its upper end to extend intothe bottom chamber of the drier 48. The gas is compelled to circulatethrough the purifier, thence passed through the pipe 50 into the lowerchamber of the drier to circulate through the latter and to find itsexit through an outlet-port 51, which is provided in the top of thedrier. The gas is thus purified, cooled, and condensed by the purifierand the drier before it is admitted to the bell of the gasometer, andthe moisture and impurities in the gas are eliminated before it passesto the service-pipes. An outlet-pipe 52 extends through the drier 43 forthe upper end of said pipe to open into the gas-bell, and this out:let-pipe has a horizontal branch 52, which is carried through thecompartment 16 and through the inclosed cabinet. To the protruding endof this outlet-pipe is connected a vertical service-pipe 53, which isfastened to the outside of the cabinet by the braces 58 of any suitablecharacter, and to the lower'end of this service-pipe 53 is connected atrap 54. This trap is equipped with an enlarged reservoir or chamber 55,and the trap is designed to contain a suitable liquid seal 56, whichnormally is below the reservoir-chamber 55. A vent-pipe 57 is attachedto the leg of the trap which contains the reservoir-chamber, and in theevent of overproduction and excessive pressure of the gas the liquidseal in the trap is forced into the extended chamber 55, so that the gasmay escape through the vent-pipe. l

I will now proceed to describe the improved construction of thegenerator, the important feature of which is a perforatedcarbid-cylinder and a fibrous absorbent packing which surrounds thecylinder, so as to constitute a jacket adapted to be saturated withmoisture by the water admitted to the generator; and as each generatoris essentially the same in construction a description of one will answerfor the other. Each generator has a shell or casing which is closedpermanently at one end by the head 60, to which is attached the branch33 or 34 of the gas-pipe 32. The other end of the horizontalgenerator-shell is closed by a removable head or cover 61, which isclamped detachably and firmly in place by a clamping or binding de- Viceof any preferred construction. The removable head 61 is arranged to bedetached from the generator without interference by the rests 18 or 19,on which the generator-itself is placed, and the two'generators areclamped in place on the rests by a transverse bar 62, which is secureddetachably within the cabinet byany preferred means. generator-shell isa perforated carbid-cylinder 64, which may be removed from said shellafter the head 61 has been detached, thus making provision for emptyingthe exhausted or spent carbid and recharging the generator with freshactive carbid. Each perforated carbid-cylinder 64 is provided at itsinner end with an imperforate permanent head 65,

\Vithin each IIO except as to the central gas-opening 66, and over thisgas-opening is secured a screen 67, which prevents the carbid containedwithin the cylinder from escaping through the opening 66, while allowingthe gas to pass freely into the shell of the generator. The screen 67 isof concavo-convex contour and is secured to the cylinder-head to form anintermediate space or chamber, which is filled with a suitable packing68, and this packing serves to confine the fine particles of carbidwithin the cylinder, particularly when the carbid is agitated. Thiscarbid-cylinder is provided at the end adjacent to the permanent head ofthe generator-cylinder with an offstanding perforated flange 70, whichextends in the direction of the length of the cylinder and is adapted toabut against the permanent head 60 of the generator in order to spacethe carbid-cylinder relatively to said head of the generator and preventthe cylinder when it is inserted in the generator from abutting againstsaid head of the generator and closing the gas-outlet port therein tothe pipe 32. The carbid-cylinder is also provided with the annularspacing-flanges 71, which are provided externally on the perforatedcylinder at the ends thereof, and are adapted to rest within the shellof the generator in order to revolubly support the perforatedcarbid-cylinder within said generator. The carbidcylinder is held by itsannular flanges centrally within the generator-shell, so as to provide aspace between the perforated cylinder and the imperforategenerator-shell for the circulation of gas through the generator, andthese flanges 7 0 provide bearings for the carbid-cylinder within saidgenerator to adapt the carbid-cylinder to be rotated 011 itslongitudinal axis for the purpose of agitating the carbid containedwithin said cylinder.

The absorbent jacket or packing 72 surrounds the perforatedcarbid-cylinder externally, and said jacket or packing is confinedbetween the annular spacing-flanges 71 of the cylinder. This jacket mayconsist of any suitable absorbent material, and as a material suitablefor the purpose I may employ cotton wicking or asbestos strands. Thewicking or strands may be Wrapped or coiled externally around theperforated cylinder to effectually inclose the same from end to endbetween the annular flanges 71 thereof; but

it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the employment ofthe particular materials mentioned nor to the specific way of applyingthe jacket. This jacket serves a threefold purpose in my generator,first, as a means for feeding the moisture or attacking liquid to thecarbid without permitting the water to come in direct contact with thecarbid; second, as a means for keeping the perforated carbid-cylinder ina comparatively cool condition, and, third, as a filtering agent for thegas to eliminate the fine particles of dust which may arise from thecarbid, particularly when the carbid-cylinder is rotated for the purposeof agitating the carbid. It will be observed that the ends of the pipe31 which communicate with the branch waterpipes 26 28 are connected tothe generatorshell at points intermediate of the length of the jacketedcarbid-cylinder, and the water which flows through this pipe 3L on theopening of the automatic valve 27 is dropped or deposited upon theabsorbent jacket 72 of the carbid-cylinder, whereby the jacket issaturated with water and is kept in a cool moistened condition. The gasis generated by the affinity of the carbid for the moisture, which itabsorbs from the saturated jacket around the perforated carbid-cylinder,and as the carbid is contained within said cylinder the gas is generatedtherein, so that it is compelled. to find its exit either through thepacked and screened port at one end of the carbid cylinder or throughthe saturated fibrous jacket. The jacket thus acts as a filtering agentto mechanically eliminate the carbid sediment which may be carried offwith the gas, and as said jacket is saturated with water and as it hasdirect contact with the perforated metallic cylinder 64 it maintains thelatter at a comparatively low temperature. The open end of theperforated carbid-cylinder is designed to be closed by a removable cover73, which is screwed to said end of the cylinder adjacent to one of theannular flanges 71 thereof, and this removable cover has a centralopening which supports one end of a polygonal tube 74, which is arrangedaxially and longitudinally within the carbid cylinder. This tube isperforated throughout its length, as at 75, and its ends are supportedin the head and cover of the carbid-cylinder. Said tube extends throughthe center of the mass or charge of carbid contained within the cylinder64, and one end of said tube opens into the packed chamber formed by thescreen 67 at the inner end of said cylinder. The tube is thus made toserve as an outlet for the gas within the carbid-cylinder, and this gasis free to pass through the perforations in the tube and thefilteringchamber, so as to find its exit in the chamber of thegenerator-shell. One end of the central gas-tube is extended through theopening in the head 73 for engagement with the socketed end of anoperating-spindle 77, which is revolubly mounted in a'stuffing-box '78,fastened to the removable head 61 of the generatorshell. This spindle 77has a handle portion arranged externally to the generator, and saidspindle may thus be operated without open ing the generator for thepurpose of rotating the carbid-cylinder to agitate the carbid therein.

In my generator the carbid-cylinder occupies a horizontal position, andto keep the carbid in a compact mass a follower 79 is arranged looselywithin the cylinder 64. This follower is mounted to travel on the polyonal tube 7 4:, which serves as a guide for the follower in its endwisemovement within the cylinder 04, and the follower is normally pressedagainst the carbid by a spring 80,

which is contained within the cylinder 64 to bear against the followerand the head 73 of the carbid-cylinder. The spring acts against thefollower to keep the carbid in a compact mass within the cylinder; butwhen the carbid becomes slaked, owing to the absorption of moisture fromthe saturated jacket, the follower is free to move against the tensionof the spring and allow the carbid to expand.

To the cap 44 at the upper end of the weight-tube 43 on the floatablegas-bell is rigidly secured a guide-rod 81, which extends upwardlybetween the generators and is properly fitted in a bridge-bar 83, whichis fixed to the cabinet within the upper compartment 14 thereof. The cap44 on this weight-tube of the gas-bell is formed with an annular collaror head 82, which is adapted to depress an actuating-lexer 84, thatcontrols the trip devices for the automatic water-valve 27. Thisactuating-lever occupies a substantially horizontal position within theupper compartment 14 and between the generators, and one end of thislever is hung or fulcru med to a bracket 85, which is fixed to thecabinet 10, preferably at the front side thereof. Said lever 84 isprovided at a point intermediate of its length with an eye or opening86, and the unconfined end of the lever has a slot 87. The

weight-tube 43 of the fioatable gas-bell passes rod.

freely through the eye 86 of the lever 84, and the collar or head 82 ofthe tube-cap 44 exceeds the diameter of said eye in the lever, wherebythe collar or head is "adapted on the descent of the floatable bell todepress the actuating-lever 84 against the tension of its liftingspring106, and thereby lower the trip-rod,which sets in motion the devicesthat actuate the automatic valve 27. To/the free slotted end of theactuating-lever 84 is connected the vertical trip-rod 88, and this rodis provided, near its lower end,with a foot 90 and a male thread 89. Thethreaded end of the rod passes through the slot 87 in theactuating-lever 84, and it receives a nut 91, adapted to bear againstthe lever 84, whereby the foot 90 and the nut 91 serve to operativelyconnect the actuating-lever and the trip-rod properly together. Thisvertical rod 88 is provided with a male-threaded section at its upperextremity, and on this threaded section of the rod is fitted atrip-plate 92, which is clamped firmly between a jam-nut 93 and one ofthe adjusting-cones, the nut 93 being screwed on the threaded section ofthe trip- The trip-plate is adapted to travel vertically with the rod 88when the lever 84 is actuated on the descent of the gas-bell or by itslifting-spring, and said trip-plate is ar-.

ranged to impinge against a hinged trip 94. Said hinged trip is pivotedat a. point intermediate of its length, as at 95, to the free extremityof a valve-lever, and by thus pivot ing the trip a short arm 96 isprovided which is adapted to bear against said valve-lever gas-bell.

and make the hinged trip fast with the lever when its free end ispressed by the trip-plate 92 on the descent of the trip-rod. with theThe trip-plate is thus adapted to depress the valve-lever for thepurpose of opening the valve 27 on the descent of the gas'bell, and onthe upward movement of the trip-plate with the ascent of the gas-bell orwith the actuating-lever 84, when the latter is lifted by its spring,the hinged trip 94 is adapted to yield or give to the movement of thetrip-plate, whereby the latter may ascend without actuating thevalve-lever.

The automatic valve 2 7 has a shell or cats: ing 97, within which is avalve-seat 98 and the guides 101. A valve rod or stem, 99 is slidablyfitted in the guides 101 of the shell, and this rod carries thevalve-head 100, which is adapted to occupy the seat 98 to close thevalve against the passage of water from the supply-tank 23 to the pipe28, leading to the generators. The valve-shell 97 is provided with atube or extension 102, which extends upwardly therefrom to a point abovethe level of the water in the tank 23, and this tube or extension servesas an auxiliary reservoir for the water which is to be supplied to thegenerators, whereby the water contained in the reservoir, formed by thetube or extension 102 is adapted to pass quickly to the generators onthe opening of the valve. The stem or rod 99 of the valve passes throughthe auxiliary reservoir, and its upper end is pivoted to a valve-lever103, which is fulcrumed at 104 to afixed supportingarm 105, andto thefree end of this valve-lever 103 is pivoted the hinged trip 94. Thespring to actuate the lever 84 is designated by the numeral 106, andthis spring is preferably of the coiled variety, with one end attachedto the valve-shell or the pipe 28 and its other end fastened to thelever 84 at a point adjacent to the eye 86 in said lever, although thisparticular style of spring and the arrangement thereof are notessential.

The trip-rod 88 is loosely connected at its lower end with theactuating-lever, and said rod is guided by adjusting devices which serveto direct the movement ofthe rod for the trip-plate 92 to engage-withthe hinged trip 94 for variable periods of time, so as to hold the valve27 open for longer or shorter periods, and thereby regulate the quantityof water which may be admitted by the valve from the tank to thegenerators. The adjusting devices consist of two cones 107 108, whichhave female-threaded openings to adapt them for adjustable connectionwith the threaded section of the trip-rod 88, and these cones are fittedto the rod for theirinclined faces to oppose each other, the lower cone107. engaging with the trip-plate 92 to coact with the jamnut 93 inconfining the trip plate to afixed position'on the rod 88. Thecone-adjusters are cylindrical for portions of their length, so as to beconcentric to the axis of the triprod 88, and the cone 107 is slidablyfitted in IIO an opening of a horizontalguide-plate 109,

" through which the cone-adjuster is free to travel on the verticalmovement of the triprod. The guide-plate 109 has a longitudinal slot110, through which passes a clamping screw or bolt 11], which isattached to a bracket arm 112, suitably fixed within the cabinet. Theguide-plate 109 may be adjusted in a horizontal direction on thebracketarm 112 to move the trip-plate 92 toward or from the pivot of thehinged trip, andthis adjustment of the trip-plate is possible becausethe trip-rod 88 is loosely attached to .the actuating-lever, Then theadjustable plate is moved outwardly on the bracket-arm, the trip-plate92 is adapted on the descent of the trip-rod to remain in engagementwith the hinged trip for quite a period of time, so as to maintain thevalve 27 open for a large quantity of water to pass to the generators;but a reversal in the adj us'tmentof the guide-plate 109 moves the rod88 to a position where the trip-plate will engage with thehinged tripfor a shorter period of time,th us allowing'the valve to remain open fora short period only and permit a smaller volume of water to pass to thegenerator. The adjustment of the tripplate may be effected vertically onthe triprod by proper manipulation of the adj ustingcones and thejam-nut to bring the tripplate in engagement with the hinged trip afterthe bell shall have descended a certain distance. 1

When the actuating-lever 84 is depressed by the bell, it draws thetrip-rod 88in a downward direction and the adjusting-cone 107 slidesthrough the opening in the guide-plate 109. Before the cone 107 passesthrough the guide-plate a distance sufficient to bring its conical upperend in the opening of the guideplate the trip 92 engages with the hingedtrip on the valve-lever to open the valve, and

on the continued descent of the rod 88 the conical end of the cone 107passes through the opening in the guide-plate 109, whereby the plateceases to maintain the trip-rod in a position for the plate 92 to remainin engagement with the hinged trip. At this period the trip-rod is freeto move laterally a limited distance for the trip-plate 92 to clear thehinged trip, and thereby free the valve-lever, and the rod and the trip92 do not actuate to hold the valve open on the continued downwardmovement of the rod 88 and the lever 84. The automatic valve is open fora period sufficient for the water to escape from the reservoir-tube 102,and the pressure of the water on the valve-head, in connection with theweight of the valve-stem, effects the closing of the valve to cut offthe continued flow of water after the trip-plate 92 clears the hingedtrip on the valve-lever. On the upward movement of the trip-rod 88 bythelifting actionof the spring on the lever 84 the cone 107 passesthrough the plate 109 to direct the rod 88 in a vertical path; but thetrip-plate does not actuate the valve because the hinged trip 94 yieldsor gives to the upward movement of said plate 92.

When an apparatus of large capacity is installed in a building, Iprovide an auxiliary reservoir or gasometer-tank 113, which isoperatively connected with the' service-pipe of the gasometer 38 Withinthe cabinet for the purpose of receiving the gas which may overflowtherefrom, and thus provide.two gasometers adapted to safely store alarge volume of gas. The gasometer-tank 113 rests upon a suitable base114, and within said tank is a floatableinverted bell 115, having aweightreceiving tube 116, which is adapted to play in a suitable guideon the head of the tank 113. The two gasometers 38 113 are operativelyconnected together by a connectingpipe 118, which is furnished with abranch pipe 119, that extends vertically within the tank 113 for itsupper end to lie above the water seal, within which is immersed theinverted bell115. This upper extremity of the branch pipe has avalve-seat 120, against which is adapted to rest a valve-head 121, whichis loosely fitted to the branch pipe 119 and is carried by a rod 122,firmly attached to the head of the fioatable bell 11'5. From thisauxiliary gasometer leads a service-pipe 123. The connecting-pipe 118 isprovided with a trap 124, one leg of which communicates with said pipe118, and this trap contains a seal 124 and is provided withareservoir-chamber 126, to which is connected the vent-pipe 127. Whenthe floatable bell 115 is filled with gas to its utmost capacity, thevalve-stem 122 is drawn upwardly through the branch 119, so as to forcethe valve-head 121 against the valve-seat 120, and thereby arrest thecontinued ingress to the auxiliary gasometer. A continued generation ofthe gas, however, to a pressure sufficient to displace the seal 125 ofthe trap will force the seal into the reservoir-chamber and open theventpipe 127; but this contingency and the waste of gas may be obviatedby properly regulating the volume of water which is admitted by thevalve 27 to the generator.

In the practical embodiment of myapparatus I provide an audible-alarmmechanism to indicate the periodwhen the gas-bell descends below thelowest limit of its travel in the active operation of the bell for theoperation of the apparatus in the generation of the gas, so that theattendant will be notified of the exhaustion of the carbid in either ofthe generators, whereby the water-supply to the generator containing theexhausted carbid may be cut off and the other generator,

with active carbid contained therein, may be brought into position forservice.

In practicing the invention I employ a hanger 130, which is secured fastto the cabi- =net, preferably the top thereof, as shown by Figs. 1, 2,and 5, and in this hanger is supported a bell-lever 131, which isarranged in a horizontal position at right angles to the plane of thelever 84, which controls the trip-rod 81. This bell-lever is fu'lcrumedat a point intermediate of its length at 132 in the hanger 130, and oneend of said lever is contiguous to the bell 133, which is supportedwithin the cabinet in a position for its striker 134 to be in activerelation to the lever 131. The bell-lever carries a bell-trip 135, whichis'pivoted to the free end of the lever, and

this lever and thetrip are disposed in a plane.

at right angles to the valve-lever 103 and the trip 94 thereon. trip,while occupying this right-angular position to the valve lever and trip,are also disposed in a horizontal plane below that of the valve leverand trip, and this bell-trip is normally free from contact with orengagement by the plate 92 on the trip-rod 88, which travels with thelever 82 and the tube of the gasometer-bell. This gasometer-bellactuatesthe triprod 88 for the plate 92 thereon to have a limited vertical playabove the bell-trip for the purpose of controlling the valve trip andleverto admit water at intervals to the generator so longas the carbidin the generator is in an active condition; but when the carbid becomesexhausted the continued admission of water to the generator, which ispresumably in service, does not result in the formation of gas, inconsequence of which the continued consumption of gas at the burnerspermits the gasometer-bell to descend below the lowest limit of itstravel in the active condition of the bell. Under these circumstancesthe trip-rod 88 is drawn downto a p0- sition for its plate 92 to clearthe valve-trip 96, and as the rod 88 and its plate 92 pass the trip 96the plate 92 is brought into engagement with the bell-trip 135 toactuate the lever for the operation of the bell-striker, thereby givingan audible alarm to attract the attention of the attendant to theapparatus and advise him of the necessity for cutting the exhaustedgenerator out of service and of opening the cook 29 or 30, which leadsto the other generator. The water having been admitted to the generatorcontaining the active carbid, the gas is produced by the Water attackingthe carbid, and the ingress of gas to the fioata'lole bell results inthe elevation thereof to restore the trip devices to their normalpositions. On the ascent of the triprod its plate 92 impinges againstthe trips 135 and 96, which yield in an upward direction for the plate92 to freely pass, and the parts having thus been restored to theirnormal working positions the operation of generating gas in proportionto the consumption at the burners is continued indefinitely.

I have represented another embodiment of my generator in Figs. 8 and 9of the drawings, in which I provide means by which the generatorcylinder or shell is kept at a low temperature by the circulation of thecooling medium around and in contact with the generator itself and theca-rbid vessel or cylinder within the generator is surrounded by arefuse-receiving cylinder that closely em- The bell-lever and the bell-'braces the annular flanges of the carbid-cylinder to support the latterrevolubly within the generator, admit of the access of water to thecarbid-cylinder, andinsure the removal of the ref use-cylinder fro m thegenerator with the carbid-cylinder in replenishing the latter with freshor active carbid. 7

As represented by Figs. 9 and 10, the generator shell or cylinder 21 issurrounded by a circulating-jacket 137, which extends nearly the lengthof the generator and incloses that head of the generator to which thegas offbearing pipe is attached, and this circulatingjacket is soarranged with relation to the generator as to leave its removable head61 exposed beyond one end of the said jacket, whereby the head 61 maybedetached previous to withdrawing the carbid-cylinder and therefuse-cylinder from the generator, and the revoluble spindle for thecarbidcylinder remains exposed for convenient access by the operatorwhen it is desired to agitate the contents of the carhid-cylinder. Thissurrounding jacket 137 provides a circulating-space between thegenerator and said jacket,'and to this circulating-space is supplied acooling medium, which preferably consists of water. The water isconveyed to the jacketed generator byan ingress-pipe 139, which is shownas attached to the lower side of the jacket 137, and on the upper sideof the jacket is connected a return-pipe 138, both of these pipes beingoperatively connected with the watertank, as at 23, indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 9, whereby the water is supplied fromv the tank to thejacket for circulation around the cylinder and returned to the tank.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that acetylene gaswhen it is produced by the decomposition of water'and carbid generatesconsiderable heat, and thus causes the cyli ndrical shell or casing 21to become heated. The water surrounding the generator-casing has itstemperature increased by contact with the casing 21, and thus the upperstrata of water will rise through the pipe 138 into the tank. The coolwater passes through the pipe 139 from the tank to the lower part of thejacket which surrounds the generator-casing 21, and thus the circulationof Water around the generator isestablished and maintained in order tokeep the generator at a comparatively low temperature.

In this embodiment of my invention I prefer to dispense with theabsorbent packing or jacket 72 around the carbid-c'ylinder 64, which isshown by Figs. 4, 6, and 8, and in lieu of this absorbent jacketI employa sedimentreceiving shell 140, which surrounds the carbid-cylinder 64 toreceive the calcium residue from the cylinder when it is rotated by theoperating-spindle 77. This refuse-cylinder 140 is of imperforate sheetmetal, and at its ends the cylinder has inwardly-extending flanges 141,which closely embrace the annular flanges 71 of the carbid-cylinder. Therefuse-cylinder 140 is provided in its upper side with a longitudinalslot 142, and in adj usting the carbidcylinder and the surroundingrefuse-cylinder within the generator the precaution is taken to have theslot 142 in the refuse-chamber in the plane of the branch water-pipe 31,the ends of said pipe 31 being extended at 3l into the generator. It isnecessary that the carbid-chamber and its surrounding refusecylinder beslid horizontally into the generator for the extended ends 31 of thewaterpipe to be received within the slot 142 of the refuse-chamber, andafter the pipes have been properly positioned within the generator thehead 61 is replaced on the generator for the spindle 77 to engage withthe longitudinal rod of the carbid-cylinder. The refuse-cylinder beingengaged with the extended ends of the water-inlet pipe, thecarbid-cylinder may be rotated by the spindle 77 for the purpose ofagitating the carbid therein to discharge the spent residue into the refuse-cylinder, and said cylinder is held in a state 'of rest in thegenerator, because the ends 31 in the water-pipe engage with the slottedcylinder 140 to restrain it against rotation with the carbid-cylinder..The refuse-cylinder is thus adapted to contain the carbid residue,which maybe discharged from the carbid-cylinder, and this refuse-cylinder serves to support the carbid-cylinder revolubly within thegenerator and is removable, with said carbid-cylinder, from thegenerator when it is desired to renew the charge of carbid within thecylinder 64.,

Although I have shown and described the carbid cylinder or vessel asconstructed of sheet metal perforated throughout its length, I do notconfine myself to this particular material, because it is evident that awire fabric, screen, or other foraminous material may be used in theconstruction of the carbid-generator.

It is thought that the operation and advantages of my invention will bereadily understood and appreciated from the foregoing description, takenin connection with the drawings.

It will be observed that the auxiliary gasometer embodies the essentialfeatures of the primary gasometer 38 within the cabinet, except as tothe automatic valve mechanism, which is closed when the fioatable bellis raised to its highest limit.

Changes may be made in the form and proportion of some of the partswhile their essential features are retained and the spirit of theinvention embodied. Hence I do not desire to be limited to the preciseform of all the parts as shown, reserving the right to vary therefrom.

Any suitable means may be adapted for regulating the level of water inthe gasometer, filling and drawing off the seal, and clean ing thepurifier-chamber. As shown by Fig. 2, the tank 38 of the gasometer isprovided with a screw-cap 142 at the level of the liquid seal therein, afilling-nozzle 143 for readily introducing water to form the seal, and adrain-cock 144 to draw off the seal. The purifier'36 is also providedwith a clean-out hole 145, which normally is closed byacover, so thatthe sediment in the lower part may be removed from time to time.

What I claim is 1. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprisinga closed casing or shell, a horizontal carbid receptacle revolublysupported within said casing and withdrawable therefrom by an endwiseadjustment through one end of the casing, and an absorbentfiltering-jacket surrounding the carbid-receptacle and removabletherewith from the easing or shell, in combination with means forrotating the carbid-receptacle within the generator-casing, and meansfor supplying water to the generator-casing for saturating the absorbentjacket of the carbid-receptacle, substantially as described.

2. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generatorcomprisinga closed shell orcasing, a perforated carbid-receptacle revolubly supported within saidcasing and removable there from by an endwise adjustment, and anabsorbent filtering-jacket attached to and surrounding said perforatedreceptacle and removable therewith from the generator-casing, incombination with means for supplying water to the upper part of thegenerator-casing for saturating the absorbent filtering-jacket of thecarbid receptacle, a gas outlet pipe connected to the closed casing anddisconnected from the revoluble carbid-receptacle therein, and meansmounted on the closed casing and connected detachably to thecarbid-receptacle for rotating the latter,substantially as described.

3. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a closed shellor casing, a perforated carbid-cylinder supported revolubly within saidcasing and removable therefrom by an endwise adjustment, an absorbentjacket surrounding the carbid-cylinder and removable therewith from theshell or cas ing, and a perforated gas-tube supported centrally withinthe carbid-receptacle and removable therewith from a casing, incombination with a gas pipe connected with the casing substantially inalinement with the gas-tube of the carbid receptacle and arranged toreceive the gas therefrom, a filtering medium between the gas-pipe andthe perforated tube of the carbid-receptacle, and means for supplyingwater to the casing, substantially as described.

4. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a shell orcasing, a perforated carbid-receptacle supported revolubly therein, anabsorbent filtering-jacket surrounding said perforated receptacle, awater-pipe connected to the generator at a point intermediate the lengthof said absorbent jacket and adapted to drop the water directly thereonfor saturating the same, an actuating device connected to the receptacleto rotate the latter, and a gas-outlet pipe connected to the generatorat one end of the carbid-receptacle, said water and gas pipes beingdisconnected from the carbid-receptacle, substantially as described.

5. In anacetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a horizontalshell or casing, a gas-pipe coupled to one end thereof, acarbid-receptacle provided with a spacing-flange and fitted in saidcasing for its flange to abut against the head to which the gas-pipe iscoupled,and means for supplying water to said casing, substantially asdescribed.

6. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator provided with a perforatedcarbid vessel having a spacing-flange at one end, an absorbentfiltering-jacket surrounding said vessel, and a perforated gas-tubearranged lon' gitudinally within said vessel and extending to thespacing-flange thereof, in combination with a gas-pipe coupled to thevessel opposite to the spacing-flange, a filtering medium between thegas-tube of the carbid vessel and said gas-pipe, and a Water-supply,substantially as described.

7. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator having a perforatedcarbid-receptacle, an absorbent jacket surrounding the same, aperforated gas-tube within said receptacle, a follower mounted loosely011 the tube and within said receptacle, and a spring acting againstsaid follower, substantially as described.

8. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a shell orcasing, a perforated carbid-receptacle having a permanent head at oneend, a packed gas-port in said permanent head of the carbid vessel, acentral, perforated tube within said receptacle, a yieldable follower onsaid tube, and an absorbent jacket surrounding the perforatedreceptacle, substantially as described.

9. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a shell orcasing having a gas-outlet port at one end thereof, and acarbid-receptacle fitted removably within said casing and provided withan olfstanding flange arranged to limit the adjustment of saidreceptacle in the casing toward the outlet in one end thereof,substantially as described.

10. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator consisting of a shell, acarbid-cylinder provided with a perforated spacing-flange at one end andwith a central gas-tube extending into said flange, said cylinder beingrevolubly supported within the shell, and a filtering-jacket attached tothe carbid-cylinder, in combination with an actuator device mounted onthe shell and coupled with the cylinder, a gas-pipe connected to thecasing to receive the gas from the chamber thereof and from theperforated flange of the carbid vessel, and a water-inlet pipe,substantially as described.

11. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator consisting of a shell orcasing, a carbidcylinder provided at its ends with the annularspacing-flanges which support said cylinder revolubly within said shell,an absorbent jacket united intimately with the cylinder between theflanges thereof and revoluble therewith within the casing, and anoperating-spindle mounted in the casing and provided with means forconnecting the same to the revoluble cylinder, substantially asdescribed.

12. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a floatable bellprovided with an extended tube having a cap, a generator, a water-inletvalve to said generator, an actuating-lever having an eye to receive thecapped tube of said bell, a spring to lift the lever, and a tripactuated by the lever and controlling the Water-inlet valve,substantially as described.

13. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a water-inletvalve, of a triprod carrying a trip-plate, a yieldable trip on theinlet-valve, and means for adjusting the trip-rod laterally with respectto the yieldable valve-trip, whereby the trip on said rod may beretracted from the path of said yieldable trip, substantially asdescribed.

1st. The combination with a water inlet valve having a yieldable trip,of a reciprocating trip-rod carrying a fast trip, an adjuster movablewith the trip-rod, and a guide within which the adjuster is free totravel, substantially as described.

15. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a water-inletvalve having a yieldable trip, of a trip-rod carrying a trip which isfast therewith, an adj usting-cone carried by said trip-rod, and a guidewithin which the adj usting-cone is free to play with the trip-rod,substantially as described.

16. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generatorwater-valve having a yieldable trip, of a bell-controlled lever, atrip-rod loosely connected with said lever and carrying a trip adaptedto impinge against the yieldable trip, and a guide device which permitslateral movement of the rod and its trip with respect to the yieldablevalve-trip, substantially as described.

17. The combination with a generator water-valve, of a bell-controlledlever, a trip-rod connected with said lever and having a trip fasttherewith to actuate said valve, an adjusting-cone fast with thetrip-rod, and an adjustable guide-plate in which the adjusting-cone isfitted to travel, substantially as described.

18. An acetylene-gas apparatus consisting of a cabinet divided into anumber of compartments, generators situated within the uppercompartment, a purifier in the lower compartment, a gas-pipe betweenthegenerators and said purifier, a gasometer situated within the middlecompartment and having a capped tube which is extended into the uppercompartment, an actuating-lever ar- IIO ranged within the uppercompartment and having an eye through which plays the capped tube of thegasorneter-bell, a trip-controlled valve having pipe connections withsaid generators, and a trip actuated by the lever and connectedoperatively with the valve that supplies the generators, substantiallyas described.

19. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a gasometer comprising a closed tankcontaining a liquid seal, a floatable inverted bell housed within saidtank, and a weight-receivin g tube attached to the fioatable bell andguided within the tank, substantially as described.

20. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a gasometer comprising a tank, afioatable inverted bell having a guide, and an adjustable collar clampedto said guide and adapted to rest up'on'the tank to suspend thefloatable bell therein, substantially as described.

' 21. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator,of a floatable gasbell having its. tube or stem provided with a head, anactuating-lever having an eye through which the bell tube or stem isadapted to play, a wa ter-valve,a trip-rod connected to theactuating-lever and carrying a trip arranged to actuate the water-valve,a spring connected to the lever to raise the latter and the trip-rod,and a source of Water-supply connected with said valve, substantially asdescribed.

22. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator,valved Water-inlet devices thereto, and a trip mechanism, of anaudible-signal mechanism embracing a trip which is disposed out of thepath of the valved water-inlet device and lies below the trip deviceswhich control the same, whereby the alarm-trip is operated by thevalve-trip'when the latter assumes an abnormal position, su bstantiallyas described.

23. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator, avalved water-inlet thereto, and a trip-rod which controls the valvedwater-inlet, of an alarm mechanism having a trip disposed out of thepath and below the normal working positions of the valvetrip and lyingin the path of the trip-rod to be actuated thereby when it assumes anabnormal position relatively ,to the valve-trip,

substantially as described.

24. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator,means for admitting water thereto, a trip for the water-inlet device,and a rod which controls said trip, of an alarm mechanism embracing anoperatinglever, and a trip on said operating-lever below the plane ofthe valvetrip and in the path of the trip-rod to be actuated therebywhen it descends below the normal workingposition thereof, substantiallyas described.

25. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator having acirculating-jacket which surrounds its shell at one end thereof and pmvided with a removable head at the exposed end of said generator,combined with circulating-pipes connected with the jacket, and

means for supplying a cooling medium to the pipes and jacket,substantially as described.

26. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a casing, aremovable carbidcylinder, a sediment-jacket provided with a longitudinalslot and interposed between the carbid-receptacle and thegenerator-casing, and a water-pipe passing through the generator-casingand the slot of the sediment-j acket, substantially as described.

27. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator provided with acarbid-cylinder and a sediment-receiving jacket which surrounds I thecarbid-cylinder and is removable therewith from the generator,substantially as described.

28. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator provided with a removablecarbid-cylinder, a sediment-receptacle surrounding the carbid-cylinderand engaging therewith to support said cylinder revolubly within thesediment-cylinder and the generator,substantially as described,

29. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator provided with awater-inlet pipe, a sediment-cylinder within the generator and engagingwith the water-inlet pipe to be re-- strained thereby against rotationwithin the generator, and a revoluble carbid-cylinder' supported withinthe sediment-cylinder, substantially as described.

30. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator, a slotted imperforatesediment-cylinder fitted removably within said generator, means engagingwith the sediment-cylinder to restrain the latter against rotationwithin the generator, means for admitting water through the slot in thesediment-cylinder, and a carbid-cylinder supported revolubly within thesediment-cylinder in position to receive water from the feed device,substantially as described.

31. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the co mbination with a generator anda water-pipe connected thereto, of a valved sediment-cylinder fittedwithin the generator and engagin g with the water-inlet pipe, and aperforated carbid-cylinder provided with annular flanges which areengaged by the flanges of the sediment-cylinder, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN RUTI-IVEN.

Witnesses:

A. SOHUCK, EMIL JABUscH.

IIO

